October 17, 2015
GBI Investigating an Officer Involved Shooting in Barrow County
Winder, GA – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer involved shooting in Barrow County, Georgia. On Friday, October 16, 2015, deputies from the Hall County Sheriff's Office were searching for Jason Foreman, 45, in the area of Melinda Drive in Winder. Foreman, of Lula, GA, was suspected of a murder that took place in Hall County on the previous date. Deputies made contact with Foreman at 702 Melinda Drive shortly before 3:30 p.m. on October 16th. Foreman fired upon the Hall County deputies, injuring two of them. He then retreated further into an enclosed garage structure. One Hall County deputy returned fire, where it is believed Foreman was struck.
During a subsequent search and scene examination, GBI agents located weapons and ammunition consistent with the shotgun (firearm used by Foreman) described by Hall County deputies. A spent shotgun shell was also recovered.
After the shooting incident, Barrow County Sheriff's deputies and SWAT team responded to the location. Once the Barrow County deputies entered the structure Foreman was in, they located him deceased. At this time, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith requested the GBI Athens Regional Office to conduct a thorough and independent investigation of this incident.
Foreman will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy and further forensic examination are expected to take place Monday. When the investigation is complete it will be turned over to the Barrow County District Attorney’s Office for any action they deem appropriate.